Visit Italy On This Day to discover things that happened today in Italian history, from famous Italians who were born or died on this day to moments that helped shape Italy's life and culture.

At Italy On This Day you will read about events and festivals, about important moments in history, and about the people who have made Italy the country it is today, and where they came from. Italy is a country rich in art and music, fashion and design, food and wine, sporting achievement and political diversity. Italy On This Day provides fascinating insights to help you enjoy it all the more.

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster – Cardinal

Blessed monk who tried to preach humility to Mussolini

Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster, who was a Benedictine monk and served as
Cardinal and Archbishop of Milan during World War II, was born on this day in
1880 in Rome.

Towards the end of the war, Schuster attempted to arrange a truce between
Mussolini and the partisans, but failed because Mussolini refused to accept the
demands for total surrender made by the partisan delegates.

More than 40 years after his death, Cardinal Schuster was beatified on
12 May 1996 by Pope John Paul II.

Schuster was the son of a Bavarian tailor who had moved to live in Rome
and he served as an altar boy at a German Church near St Peter’s Basilica.

In 1898 he joined the Order of Saint Benedict and took the name
Ildefonso before entering the monastic community of Saint Paul Outside the
Walls.

He studied while he was a monk and graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy
in 1903, later receiving a Doctorate in Theology.

.

Schuster was ordained as a priest in Rome in 1904 and then returned to
his community of Saint Paul Outside the Walls where he became Master of
Novices.

The statue of St Paul at the church of
St Paul Outside the Walls in Rome

He held various pontifical offices between 1914 and 1928 and toured the
country visiting Catholic seminaries.

After being elected Archbishop of Milan in 1929 he took the oath of
loyalty to the Italian state in front of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy,
the first Italian bishop to be required to do so by the Lateran Treaty.

He was created Cardinal Priest by Pope Pius XI in 1929, receiving the
Church of Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti. He was consecrated in the Sistine
Chapel by Pope Pius XI personally.

Despite claims during the process for Schuster’s beatification that he
had been sympathetic to Italian Fascism, he had in fact denounced the
anti-Christian element of Fascism. He is reported to have refused to
participate in any ceremonies involving Mussolini and to have condemned racist
legislation during the period.

He had supported the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 by asking God
to protect the Italian troops, ‘as they opened the door of Ethiopia to the
Catholic faith’.

But in 1938, after the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, Schuster’s
views changed sharply.

During the unsuccessful meeting between Mussolini and the partisans in
the Archbishop’s Palace in Milan, Schuster is reported to have made an attempt
to preach humility to the Fascist leader.

After the war, Cardinal Schuster frequently emphasised the danger of
totalitarianism, whether inspired by fascism or communism.

Schuster died in 1954 at Venegono Inferiore near Milan. Cardinal Angelo Roncalli, the future Pope John XXIII, celebrated his funeral and afterwards
Schuster was buried in the Cathedral of Milan.

Travel tip:

The Sistine Chapel, where Schuster was consecrated as Cardinal Priest by
Pope Pius XI, is in the Apostolic Palace, where the Pope lives, in Vatican
City. The chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, the uncle of Pope Julius
II, who had it restored during his papacy. Between 1508 and 1512, Michelangelo
painted the ceiling at the request of Pope Julius II. His amazing
masterpiece, now a popular tourist attraction, is in bright colours, easily
visible from the floor, and covers more than 400 square metres.

The carving over the Altar of the Madonna at the Duomo
in Milan, beneath which Schuster was buried

Travel tip:

Schuster was buried in the Duomo of Milan, Milan’s cathedral, which is
the largest church in Italy and the fifth largest in the world. Construction of
the Duomo began in 1386 using marble brought into the city along Milan’s
Navigli canals. Although it was consecrated as a Cathedral in 1418, building
work on the Duomo was not finally completed until the 19th century when
Napoleon organised the façade to be finished before his coronation there.

No comments:

Post a Comment

THE SHOOTING IN SORRENTO

The Shooting in Sorrento, a new crime novel set in the southern Italy resort, is now available from Amazon.
It is the second Butler and Bartorelli mystery by Val Culley, following Death in the High City, which was set in Bergamo in Lombardy.The book - written for readers who prefer the 'cosy crime' genre - features journalist Kate Butler and her partner, Steve Bartorelli, who is a retired Detective Chief Inspector.They are in Sorrento for the wedding of the daughter of one of Steve’s Italian cousins.When tragedy strikes an English family staying at their hotel, Kate feels she has to help.She joins forces with another visitor to Sorrento to investigate after it becomes clear the Italian police aren’t looking further than the English family.

Sicilian who brought order among warring clans Charles 'Lucky' Luciano, pictured in Italy in 1948, after he had been deported ...

ITALY

BEST OF ITALY HOTELS

A selection of recommended hotels in Italy. Click on the picture to visit the site.

BEST OF BERGAMO

Tips and advice for visitors to this lovely Italian city. Click on the picture to visit the site.

BEST OF SORRENTO

Tips and advice for visitors to this popular Italian resort. Click on the picture to visit the site.

BEST OF PADOVA

What to see in this charming city in the Veneto. Click on the picture to visit the site.

NOTICE

All facts given on this website have been carefully researched and are published by the Italy On This Day Editor in good faith. All travel advice, hotel and restaurant recommendations are based on information that has been checked and was correct at the time of writing.